Tucson Woman Nancy Guthrie Missing Since Jan 31; Mexico Travel and Ransom Note Claims Investigated

The search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, has gone international with claims of travel to Mexico and a ransom note. This is a complex case with many leads being followed.
By Newsroom | Crime, Missing Persons |

Tucson Resident Missing for Weeks, International Leads Explored

The search for Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman from Tucson, Arizona, has entered its second month. Ms. Guthrie was last seen on January 31 when she was dropped off at her home by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, after a family dinner. Her disappearance has prompted an active investigation that is now reaching beyond U.S. borders, with authorities exploring a possible connection to Mexico.

Nancy Guthrie Case Update: Explosive 'Puerto Vallarta Sighting' Claim Emerges as Cartel Violence, Fires and Red Alert Grip Mexico - 1

Timeline and Key Events

  • January 31: Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson home around 9:48 PM after a family dinner.

  • Night of Disappearance: Her pacemaker's connection to her phone app was lost.

  • Days Following Disappearance: Investigators with the Pima County Sheriff's Department conducted neighborhood sweeps, collecting evidence including multiple gloves. Blood believed to be Ms. Guthrie's was found on her home's front steps.

  • Recent Developments: A private investigator noted a jet departed Tucson for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, approximately two hours after Ms. Guthrie's pacemaker signal was lost. The FBI has reportedly contacted authorities in Mexico regarding the case. TMZ has reported receiving a new ransom note, described as a sophisticated demand involving cryptocurrency.

Evidence and Investigative Actions

  • Physical Evidence: Drops of blood identified as belonging to Nancy Guthrie were discovered on the front steps of her residence. Multiple gloves were collected from the neighborhood during sweeps by the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

  • Technological Traces: The connection from Ms. Guthrie's pacemaker to her phone app was disconnected on the night of her disappearance. A ransom note, reportedly detailed and using cryptocurrency, has been received by TMZ.

  • Investigative Focus: The Pima County Sheriff's Department stated that more than one suspect is not being ruled out and that specific details about collected evidence will not be publicly shared due to the active nature of the investigation.

  • International Coordination: Sources indicate the FBI has been in contact with Mexican authorities. The FBI's legal attaché office in Mexico City acts as a liaison between U.S. agencies and Mexico's federal attorney general's office.

The Puerto Vallarta Flight Claim

A private investigator has pointed to a private jet that reportedly left Tucson for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, roughly two hours after Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker signal was lost. This detail has drawn attention as investigators explore all possible leads. Whether this flight is directly connected to Ms. Guthrie's disappearance remains unconfirmed by official sources.

Nancy Guthrie Case Update: Explosive 'Puerto Vallarta Sighting' Claim Emerges as Cartel Violence, Fires and Red Alert Grip Mexico - 2

Ransom Note Development

Reports from TMZ suggest a new ransom note has been received in connection with Nancy Guthrie's case. The note is described as a sophisticated demand utilizing cryptocurrency, distinct from Bitcoin. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the existence or details of this note, nor have they indicated any solid leads derived from it.

Read More: Man Fatally Shot After Breaching Mar-a-Lago Perimeter on Sunday Morning

Nancy Guthrie Case Update: Explosive 'Puerto Vallarta Sighting' Claim Emerges as Cartel Violence, Fires and Red Alert Grip Mexico - 3

Expert and Official Statements

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has stated that his team cannot yet determine if Nancy Guthrie was targeted. However, he later told BBC News that he believes she was targeted in the apparent abduction. Sheriff Nanos also noted that the Guthrie family has been cooperative with investigators. While there is no direct indication that Ms. Guthrie was taken into Mexico, Sheriff Nanos acknowledged that this possibility is being considered.

Nancy Guthrie Case Update: Explosive 'Puerto Vallarta Sighting' Claim Emerges as Cartel Violence, Fires and Red Alert Grip Mexico - 4

Conflicting Details and Unanswered Questions

The investigation is presenting several points requiring further clarification. While a private investigator noted a flight to Puerto Vallarta, officials, including Sheriff Nanos, have stated there is no indication Nancy Guthrie was taken into Mexico. Furthermore, while the FBI has reportedly contacted Mexican authorities, it is unclear what specific information prompted this outreach or what the response has been. The presence of a sophisticated ransom note, reported by TMZ, has not been officially confirmed by law enforcement, leaving its direct link to the investigation open to interpretation. The exact nature of the "targeting" mentioned by Sheriff Nanos also requires further substantiation.

Read More: Search for Missing 84-Year-Old Nancy Guthrie Uses Pacemaker Signals in Tucson Desert

Conclusion and Next Steps

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie from her Tucson home on January 31 has evolved into a complex investigation with an international dimension. Key evidence, including blood traces and collected gloves, are undergoing analysis. The claim of a flight to Puerto Vallarta and the reported ransom note introduce significant lines of inquiry that authorities are reportedly pursuing, with the FBI coordinating with Mexican counterparts. Official statements indicate that while Nancy Guthrie is believed to have been targeted, her current whereabouts and the full scope of those involved remain undetermined. The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues its active investigation, emphasizing that specific details are being withheld to protect the integrity of the ongoing case.

Read More: Puerto Vallarta Violence: Jalisco Cartel Attacks Cause Road Blocks and Fires

Sources Used:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When and where was Nancy Guthrie last seen?
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Tucson home on January 31 around 9:48 PM. She was dropped off by her son-in-law after a family dinner.
Q: What evidence has been found in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance?
Investigators found blood believed to be Nancy Guthrie's on her front steps and collected multiple gloves from the neighborhood. Her pacemaker's connection to her phone app was also lost on the night she vanished.
Q: Why are investigators looking into Mexico in the Nancy Guthrie case?
A private investigator reported a jet left Tucson for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, about two hours after Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker signal was lost. The FBI has reportedly contacted Mexican authorities about the case.
Q: Is there a ransom note in the Nancy Guthrie case?
TMZ has reported receiving a new ransom note that is described as a sophisticated demand using cryptocurrency. Law enforcement has not officially confirmed the note or its details.
Q: Do authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was targeted?
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that while it was initially unclear, he now believes Nancy Guthrie was targeted in an apparent abduction. The investigation is ongoing, and more than one suspect is not being ruled out.